A benefit for baby Sophia: Beach Pub hosts benefit for infant

September 12, 2013

In hopes of raising enough money to help the family of an ailing infant, the Beach Pub, 1668 I St. on Fort Myers Beach, is hosting a very special benefit Saturday, Sept. 14, starting at 2 p.m.

Born May 25 this year, little Sophia Fecteau was diagnosed with Charge Syndrome, a genetic condition with a set of birth defects. After a series of five surgeries since birth only a few months ago, her family says Sophia has not improved.

"She has all of the symptoms of Charge Syndrome. The family had to relocate to Atlanta, Ga., to have the best care for Sophie. And, now she's home from the hospital, with the care of 10 doctors and so many pieces of medical equipment in her room," said Cheryl Fecteau, first-time grandmother and longtime Fort Myers Beach resident. "The doctors have all told us to just spend as much time with her as we can, and we're keeping the hopes up that she can pull out of this, but we just don't know."

With Sophia's short-term life expectancy, Hope Hospice is in consultation with the family and her first-time parents, Derek and Kaitlin Fecteau.

Cheryl has been working with the Beach Pub, organizing the benefit, and any donations made to the family are greatly appreciated.

During the benefit at the Pub Saturday, there will be plenty of live music offered, as well as 50/50s, food, raffles, prizes and a fun-filled day to keep up the spirits of Sophia's family, and keep the hope alive for her recovery.

Also featured will be a corn-hole tournament, blood drive and a bone marrow tent for potential donors.

Chase, the son of Lisa Snyder and Chris Johnson, is awaiting a bone marrow transplant.

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Fundraiser for Greilyn & Epilepsy Awareness

A Fundraiser for Greilyn & Epilepsy Awareness will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, at Victory Lane Cafe, 4120 Hancock Bridge Pkwy, North Fort Myers.The fundraiser will help raise money for Greilyn, a 2-year-old who has been diagnosed with epilepsy and in need of a seizure alert dog, which costs $22,000.

All proceeds from the car wash, bounce house and corn hole tournament fund raiser will go directly to Greilyn. Victory Lane also will offer a special brunch menu with proceeds to benefit the child. A 50/50 raffle also will be featured.

The registration fee for the corn hole tournament is $40 per team. Signups are at 11 a.m. or contact Sarah AT 239-896-2785 to sign up.

Donations also may be made directly at any Wells Fargo Bank by donating to the Pray for Greilyn account.

"It's just amazing how the Beach community pulls together in crisis like this,"?Cheryl said, tears in her eyes. "Everyone has been so nice donating, especially in the slow time of year. It's been so, so nice. We have so many wonderful items to raffle off that afternoon, lots of hotel and resort stays, lots of restaurant gift certificates and other prizes. There are just so many great prizes to win, thanks to the several Fort Myers Beach businesses for donating. We will have 50/50 raffles, too, and Pete's Timeout and its purveyors have donated food. So, Pete's will cook it all up and deliver it to the Beach Pub for the benefit."

Cheryl also mentioned that there will be lots of great live music during Sophia's benefit.

"There will be live music all day, with Steve Lutke starting the day, followed by Sean Bright, and 10,000 Views finishing the benefit," she said. "I'd like to make a special thank-you to Dina Caleca and the Beach Pub for hosting the benefit, Pete's Timeout and its purveyors, the musicians performing that day, and everyone who can make it out to the benefit, helping us in this time of need."

As for parking, the owner of the Key Estero Plaza has donated his parking lot for benefit-goers.

"We have parking! The owner of Key Estero Plaza has donated his entire parking lot for the benefit. Big thanks, Tom!" Dina said.

If you'd like to make a donation to Sophia and her fight, an account has been set up at the Suntrust Bank on Summerlin near Fort Myers Beach, 11340 Summerlin Square Drive, in the name of "Sophia Fecteau, Cheryl Fecteau or Celeste Murray."